When Hamas launched a brutal assault on Israel overnight, the Biden administration’s Office of Palestinian Affairs initially called on Israel “to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks,” before deleting the post.

Here is the post before it was deleted:

The administration subsequently released the following statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson:

The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners.

As of this writing, President Biden has not offered any remarks or issued a statement on the unfolding attack on Israel.